Ayatollah Montazeri

Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri was a prominent Iranian Shia cleric and political figure known for his role in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the Shah of Iran. Initially a close ally of Ayatollah Khomeini, he became a leading advocate for human rights and political reform. Montazeri critiqued the Iranian government for its oppressive practices and advocated for individual liberties. His views led to his marginalization; he was placed under house arrest for years. After his death in 2009, he became a symbol of reformist aspirations within Iran, inspiring calls for greater democracy and social justice.